How to Install Door Closure Cam Kit R0181181 in a Whirlpool Refrigerator
Quick answer: Unplug the fridge and empty the door, remove the top hinge and lift the door off the bottom pin, pull the worn cam from the door bottom and the mating cam off the hinge, press the new R0181181 cams on with the ramps facing each other, rehang the door and confirm it swings shut on its own.
Door closure cam kit R0181181 restores the self-closing action on Whirlpool-built refrigerators, including many Amana side-by-side and top-freezer cabinets such as ASD261RHRS, ED20DFXEN01 and SQD26VWP1315203WW. The kit is a pair of ramped plastic cams: one seats in the bottom of the door, the other sits on the lower hinge pin. As the door swings closed, the ramps slide against each other and the weight of the door drops it the last few degrees so the gasket seals. When the cams wear flat or crack, the door hangs open a crack, frost builds in the freezer and the compressor runs far longer than it should.
The kit may include more than one cam profile to cover different door styles, so compare each piece to what you remove and use only the matching shapes. Access is straightforward on every model in the fitment list: the door lifts off the bottom hinge once the top hinge is loosened. The door is heavy and awkward, so plan on a helper, and keep the shelves and bins emptied before you start.
See part details and every compatible model: R0181181
- Unplug the refrigerator before touching the hinges; on models with door switches, wiring may run through the top hinge.
- Empty the door shelves completely. A loaded door can weigh far more than it looks and can tip when the hinge is released.
- Have a helper hold the door while the top hinge bolts come out; a falling door can dent the floor and injure a foot.
- Set the door on a padded surface, never on its edge on bare tile, to protect the gasket and finish.
Tools and Parts You Need
- Door closure cam kit R0181181
- Socket set or nut driver for the hinge bolts
- Phillips screwdriver for hinge covers
- Flat screwdriver or trim tool to pry the old cam
- Food-safe petroleum jelly or silicone grease
- Padded surface (blanket or cardboard) to rest the door on
- A second person to help lift the door
Step-by-Step Installation
- Prepare the cabinet Unplug the refrigerator and clear the door bins. If the door has water or ice dispensing, disconnect any lines or plugs at the top hinge as your model requires.
- Remove the top hinge Pop off the hinge cover, then hold the door closed while your helper backs out the top hinge bolts. Lift the hinge clear and note any shims or washers so they go back in the same order.
- Lift the door off Open the door slightly, lift it straight up off the bottom hinge pin and carry it to the padded surface. Lay it flat with the bottom edge facing you.
- Remove the old cams The door-side cam is pressed into a pocket in the bottom of the door; pry it out with a flat tool. The hinge-side cam sits on the lower hinge pin; lift it off, or unbolt the hinge if it will not clear.
- Match the new pieces Lay the R0181181 pieces next to the old cams and pick the ones with the same outline and ramp direction. Discard any unused profiles from the kit.
- Fit the new cams Press the door cam fully into its pocket until it is flush. Set the hinge cam onto the pin with its ramp positioned to meet the door cam as the door closes. Apply a thin smear of food-safe grease to both ramp faces.
- Rehang the door With your helper, lower the door onto the bottom pin, hold it closed and refit the top hinge with its original shims. Snug the bolts, check that the door lines up with the cabinet and the adjacent door, then tighten.
- Test the self-close Open the door about halfway and let go. It should swing shut and seal on its own. Reconnect any dispenser lines, plug the unit in and check that the door light or switch works.
Fit Checks Before You Call the Job Done
- The door swings closed from a half-open position without a push and the gasket seals all the way around.
- The gap between the door and the cabinet, and between the two doors on a side-by-side, is even top to bottom.
- No grinding or clicking is heard as the door reaches the last few degrees of travel.
- The door does not sag or rub the lower cabinet trim when fully open.
- Your model, for example ASD261RHRS or SBD20TPWP1190006WW, is in the fitment list for R0181181.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Installing the cams backwards If the ramps face away from each other the door will stay wherever you leave it or pop open. Match the ramp direction to the old pieces before pressing anything home.
Losing the hinge shims Shims under the top hinge set door alignment. Note their order and count as you remove them and put every one back.
Working with a full door Bins full of jars make the door top-heavy and dangerous to lift. Empty it first, every time.
Skipping lubrication Dry plastic on plastic squeaks and wears fast. A tiny amount of food-safe grease on the ramps is enough.
Troubleshooting After Installation
Door still will not self-close The refrigerator may be leaning forward. Raise the front leveling legs slightly so the cabinet tilts back, then retest.
Door sits higher or lower than before A hinge shim was left out or added. Re-check the shim stack against what you removed and adjust.
Clicking on close One cam is not fully seated. Lift the door and press the door cam in until it is flush, and confirm the hinge cam sits flat on the pin.
Care Tips After the Repair
- Wipe the gasket and cabinet face with warm soapy water every few months so the seal stays soft and closes cleanly.
- Keep the cabinet slightly tilted back on its leveling legs; gravity does part of the closing work.
- Do not hang heavy bags or towels on the door handle; the extra leverage wears the cams and hinges.
Compatible Models (Sample)
This part is listed for 668 Whirlpool models in our fitment data. Always confirm your exact model number on the appliance's rating plate.
Repair Difficulty and Time
Difficulty: Moderate. Typical time: 30 to 60 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need one kit per door?
Each door has its own pair of cams. If both doors on a side-by-side are sagging or not closing, order two kits.
Why does the kit contain pieces I did not use?
R0181181 covers several door designs, so extra profiles are included. Use only the pieces that match what came off your door and discard the rest.
Can I replace the cam without removing the door?
No. The door cam is pressed into the bottom of the door and the hinge cam sits under the door on the pin, so the door has to come off.
The cam is fine but the door still hangs open. What else could it be?
Check that the refrigerator is level or tilted slightly back, that nothing in the door bins is hitting the shelves, and that the gasket is not torn or stiff.
Final Checklist
- Refrigerator unplugged and door bins emptied
- Top hinge removed with shims noted
- Door lifted off and laid on padding
- Old door cam and hinge cam removed
- Correct R0181181 profiles selected and greased
- Door rehung and aligned before final tightening
- Self-close tested from half open
- Dispenser lines and power reconnected